Nicholas

General - Patron saint of children, Russia and sailors. He is said to be the prototype for Santa Claus (Father Christmas). In real life, he was a 4th C bishop, born in Lydia, who gave all his inherited wealth to the poor. During a famine, he persuaded sailors bound for Alexandria, to give him their cargoes of grain yet, when they arrived in Egypt their holds were still full. His festival is held on December 8th. Also commonly referred to as Nicholas.